Breaker boy is a term that is not commonly used in modern times, but it holds an important place in history. The term refers to a young boy who worked in coal mines during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These boys were responsible for sorting and separating coal from rocks and other debris that came out of the mines. The work was dangerous, and the boys were often exposed to harmful substances, leading to health problems later in life.
Definitions
A breaker boy was a young coal miner who worked in the coal mines, specifically in the coal breakers. The job of the breaker boy was to sort and separate coal from rocks and other debris that came out of the mines. They would do this by hand, using picks, shovels, and other tools to break up the coal and remove any unwanted materials.
Origin
The term “breaker boy” originated in the coal mines of the northeastern United States in the late 1800s. The term referred to the young boys who worked in the coal breakers, which were large machines that crushed and sorted coal. These boys were often between the ages of 8 and 12 and were hired because they were small enough to fit into the narrow spaces where the coal was being sorted.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The term “breaker boy” is not commonly used in modern times, and therefore, it is not found in many dictionaries. However, it can be found in historical dictionaries, such as the Oxford English Dictionary, which defines it as “a boy employed in breaking and sorting coal in a colliery.”
Associations
The term “breaker boy” is associated with the coal mining industry and the difficult and dangerous work that was done in the mines during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The term is also associated with child labor and the exploitation of young boys who were forced to work long hours in hazardous conditions.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for “breaker boy” include coal miner, coal breaker, and coal sorter.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms for “breaker boy” as it is a specific term that describes a job in the coal mining industry.
The same root words
The term “breaker” comes from the Old English word “brecan,” which means “to break.” The word “boy” comes from the Middle English word “boi,” which means “servant” or “young male servant.”
Example Sentences
- The breaker boy worked long hours in the coal mines, sorting and separating coal from rocks and other debris.
- Many breaker boys suffered from health problems later in life due to the dangerous conditions they were exposed to in the mines.
- The use of breaker boys in the coal mining industry was eventually outlawed due to concerns about child labor and workplace safety.